Route East (2022) Board Game

Route East is a board game released in 2022 that falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Adventure, Print & Play, and Travel. Designed for 2-5 players, this game offers a unique gameplay experience that involves action points, advantage tokens, betting and bluffing, dice rolling, and open drafting. With a runtime of 60-90 minutes and a recommended age of 11 and up, Route East promises an engaging and strategic gaming session.

Game Components of Route East

Board: A map-style board depicting the route from Istanbul to Shanghai.

Player Tokens: Each player has a token to move on the board.

Destination Cards: Three random destination cards per player, each in a different country.

Action Cards: Cards providing various abilities and actions.

Fuel Tokens: Tokens for managing fuel resources.

Cash Tokens: Tokens for managing funds.

Dice: For resolving certain challenges, such as navigating dirt roads.

How To Setup Route East

Setting up the game is straightforward. Lay out the board, add the action cards to their designated spaces, place fuel tokens over the offshore rig, and deal three destination cards to each player. Players start at the beginning space in Istanbul. Ensure the destination cards are in different countries; if not, discard and redraw until this condition is met.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Be the first player to reach the finish space in Shanghai after visiting three designated destinations.

Mechanics:

Action Points: Players have three actions per turn to move, draw action cards, or perform other tasks.

Advantage Token: Tokens providing beneficial effects.

Betting and Bluffing: Strategic elements involving risk and deception.

Dice Rolling: Used for resolving challenges like navigating dirt roads.

Card Drafting: Drawing action cards to aid in the journey.

Race: Competing to reach Shanghai first.

Resource to Move: Managing fuel and funds to progress.

Player Experience

Route East offers a tense and strategic gaming experience, with a strong thematic tie to traveling the Silk Road. Players must plan their routes carefully, visiting their designated destinations while managing resources and using action cards to gain advantages or hinder opponents. The game has a similar feel to Ticket to Ride but with unique twists, such as the need to navigate dirt roads and manage fuel. Each game tends to be close, with players often finishing just a turn or two behind each other.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s theme of traveling the Silk Road is rich and immersive.

Strategic Depth: Multiple mechanics provide a challenging and engaging experience.

High Replayability: Random destination cards and action cards ensure each game is different.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of players, including families and casual gamers.

Polished Presentation: The game’s visuals and components are well-designed and thematic.

Cons

Complexity: The game involves several mechanics, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Length: Games can take 60-90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Limited Additional Content: Currently, there are no expansions available.

Personal Thoughts on Route East

Route East is ideal for players who enjoy strategic racing games with a strong thematic focus. It is a great gateway game for those transitioning from simpler games to more complex ones, offering a mix of strategy and luck. The game’s ability to balance competition with resource management and strategic planning makes it appealing to fans of games like Ticket to Ride and The Quest for El Dorado. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking very short or very simplistic games.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.